Unit:
Department of Theatre StudiesLibrary of the School of Philosophy
Author:
Michalopoulos Panagiotis
Dissertation committee:
Άννα Ταμπάκη, καθηγήτρια, Τμήμα Θεατρικών Σπουδών, ΕΚΠΑ
Κυριακή Πετράκου, καθηγήτρια, Τμήμα Θεατρικών Σπουδών, ΕΚΠΑ
Κωνστάντζα Γεωργακάκη, αναπληρώτρια καθηγήτρια, Τμήμα Θεατρικών Σπουδών, ΕΚΠΑ
Χρυσόθεμις Σταματοπούλου-Βασιλάκου, καθηγήτρια, Τμήμα Θεατρικών Σπουδών, ΕΚΠΑ
Πλάτων Μαυρομούστακος, καθηγητής, Τμήμα Θεατρικών Σπουδών, ΕΚΠΑ
Γιώργος Πεφάνης, αναπληρωτής καθηγητής, Τμήμα Θεατρικών Σπουδών, ΕΚΠΑ
Γρηγόρης Ιωαννίδης, επίκουρος καθηγητής, Τμήμα Θεατρικών Σπουδών, ΕΚΠΑ
Original Title:
Το Εθνικό Θέατρο 1940-1950. Οι όροι της θεατρικής παραγωγής και το σκηνοθετικό ζήτημα
Translated title:
The National Theatre of Greece 1940-1950. The terms of theatrical production and the issue of stage-direction.
Summary:
This doctoral thesis examines the course of action of the National Theatre of Greece during the turbulent 1940s, from the involvement of Greece in the Second World War until the end of the Greek Civil War. It presents the changes in the institution’s management and the impact of historical events on its physiognomy, and examines the choices in repertoire, the ensemble’s composition, the developments regarding the issue of stage-direction and the performances of each period. The first chapter explores the activity of the National Theatre during the period of war (1940-1941); the second chapter focuses on the operation of the theatre during the Italian-German occupation (1941-1944); the third chapter peruses the operation after the Liberation and the short-lived management of the theatre by Georgios Theotokas (1944-1946); the fourth chapter delves into the operation of the organization under the general management of Dimitris Rondiris (1946-1950), during a time which coincides with the escalation of the civil conflict (1946-1949).
The present thesis attempts to complete the missing gaps and to shed light on specific grey areas of the National Theatre’s history during that period, e.g. the attempt to establish an experimental scene or incidents of artistic jealousy between the actors during the Occupation; the meddlesome role of England or the innovations introduced by Theotokas in order to modernize the organization after the Liberation; the asphyxiating framework during the Civil War, which consists of prohibitions and expulsions of members. Concerning the stage directors, the thesis examines Rondiris’ resignation, Takis Mouzenidis’ removal, Pelos Katselis’ return and Sokratis Karantinos’ hiring (1942-1943); also, Theotokas’ effort to secure the collaboration of more directors, Rondiris’ refusal to return to the theatre and the negotiations of Linos Karzis with the theatre’s directorship (1945-1946); furthermore, Rondiris’ intention to direct all plays by the National Theatre, whilst he took over the management (1946-1950). The thesis is based on extensive research in the newspapers and magazines of that period and on enlightening information deriving from the Archive of the National Theatre of Greece itself.
Main subject category:
History
Keywords:
Theatre, Theatre Studies, Theatre History, Modern Greek Theatre, National Theatre of Greece, Theatre directing, Stage-direction, Theatre directors, Second World War, Occupation, Liberation, Greek Civil War, Dimitris Rondiris, Takis Mouzenidis, Pelos Katselis, Sokratis Karantinos, Linos Karzis, Georgios Theotokas.
Number of references:
1109
